University of Catania

About: University of Catania is a education organization based out in Catania, Italy. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Large Hadron Collider. The organization has 14599 authors who have published 41195 publications receiving 1032705 citations. The organization is also known as: Università degli Studi di Catania & Universita degli Studi di Catania.

Early diagnosis by genetic analysis of differentiated thyroid cancer metastases in small lymph nodes

Abstract: We report a PCR-based technique for detecting thyroid cancer metastases in small nodes <1.5 cm diameter by the amplification of thyroid specific transcripts TSH-receptor and thyroglobulin. A 100% correspondence with the histopathological diagnosis was observed in the 41/46 nodes (89%) in which an adequate sample was obtained at fine needle aspiration. The genetic analysis resulted more sensitive and accurate than both the cytological analysis (28% inadequate samples, 17% false negative diagnoses) and the thyroglobulin measurement in the aspirates (39% false negatives). The PCR-based genetic analysis may provide a useful tool for diagnosis and follow-up of thyroid cancer.

Cancer Stem Cells and Chemosensitivity

Abstract: Cancer lethality is mainly due to the onset of distant metastases and refractoriness to chemotherapy. Thus, the development of molecular targeted agents that can restore or increase chemosensitivity will provide valuable therapeutic options for cancer patients. Growing evidence indicates that a cellular subpopulation with stem cell-like features, commonly referred to as cancer stem cells (CSCs), is critical for tumor generation and maintenance. Recent advances in stem cell biology are revealing that this cellular fraction shares many properties with normal adult stem cells and is able to propagate the parental tumor in animal models. CSCs seem to be protected against widely used chemotherapeutic agents by means of different mechanisms, such as a marked proficiency in DNA damage repair, high expression of ATP-binding cassette drug transporters, and activation of PI3K/AKT and Wnt pathways. Moreover, microenvironmental stimuli such as those involved in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and hypoxia indirectly contribute to chemoresistance by inducing in cancer cells a stem-like phenotype. Understanding how CSCs overcome chemotherapy-induced death stimuli, and integrating such knowledge into clinical research methodology, has become a priority in the process of identifying innovative therapeutic strategies aimed at improving the outcome of cancer patients.

Laboratory Synthesis of Molecular Hydrogen on Surfaces of Astrophysical Interest

Abstract: We report on the first results of experiments to measure the recombination rate of hydrogen on surfaces of astrophysical interest. Our measurements give lower values for the recombination efficiency (sticking probability S times the probability of recombination upon H-H encounter, ?) than model-based estimates. We propose that our results can be reconciled with average estimates of the recombination rate [(1/2)nHngvHAS?] from astronomical observations, if the actual surface of an average grain is rougher, and its area bigger, than the one considered in models.

Cognitive impairment and its relation with disease measures in mildly disabled patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: baseline results from the Cognitive Impairment in Multiple Sclerosis (COGIMUS) study

Abstract: BackgroundCognitive impairment is a common symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS), but the association between cognitive impairment and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) disease measures in patients with relapsing–remitting (RR) MS is unclear.ObjectivesTo study the prevalence of cognitive impairment and its relation with MRI disease measures in mildly disabled patients with RRMS.MethodsPatients aged 18–50 years with RRMS (McDonald criteria) and an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score ≤4.0, who were enrolled in the Cognitive Impairment in Multiple Sclerosis (COGIMUS) study, underwent baseline standardized MRI complete neurological examination and neuropsychological testing.ResultsA total of 550 patients were enrolled, 327 of whom underwent MRI assessments. Cognitive impairment (impaired performance in ≥3 cognitive tests) was present in approximately 20% of all patients and in the subgroup who underwent MRI. T2 hyperintense and T1 hypointense lesion volumes were significantly higher in patients with cog...

Prompt and non-prompt J/ψ production in pp collisions at √s = 7 TeV

Abstract: The production of J/psi mesons is studied in pp collisions at sqrt(s)=7 TeV with the CMS experiment at the LHC. The measurement is based on a dimuon sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 314 inverse nanobarns. The J/psi differential cross section is determined, as a function of the J/psi transverse momentum, in three rapidity ranges. A fit to the decay length distribution is used to separate the prompt from the non-prompt (b hadron to J/psi) component. Integrated over J/psi transverse momentum from 6.5 to 30 GeV/c and over rapidity in the range |y| < 2.4, the measured cross sections, times the dimuon decay branching fraction, are 70.9 \pm 2.1 (stat.) \pm 3.0 (syst.) \pm 7.8(luminosity) nb for prompt J/psi mesons assuming unpolarized production and 26.0 \pm 1.4 (stat.) \pm 1.6 (syst.) \pm 2.9 (luminosity) nb for J/psi mesons from b-hadron decays.